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-Y L. 0.- GROWELL,

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

No. 549,111.` PatentedNom-5, 1895.

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L; CQCROW'BLL, SHEET FEEDING MACHINE. I

Patented Nov. 5; 1895.

Wwf-o ANDREW IGRAUMMUTO-LITHQWASIUN61011.10.

(No Model.)v Bhets-Sheet LA. C. GROWELL.

SHE-ET FE-EDING MACHINE.

No. 549,111. Patentedvlvoms, 1395.-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER O. CROVELL, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HOE, THEO- DORE H. MEAD, AND CHARLES W. CARPENTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SHEET-FEEDING MACHINE.

l SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,11i'1, dated November 5, 1895.

Application filed November v2l 1894. Serial No. 529 ,447.1 (No model.) l

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER C.. GRoWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county1 of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Feeding Mechanism, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

In feeding the bottom sheets from a pile it is found difiicult to secure the feeding of the sheets singly, as the bottom sheet tends to carry with it one or more of the sheets above it on account of the adhesion between the sheets, this difculty being increased when sheets are fed outvfrom the pile by rolls or equivalent feeding devices engaging the bot tom of the sheet, as the rolls engage the second sheet before the iirst sheet has been entirely removed from the pile, tending to carry the second sheet forward with the bottom sheet, besides causing much objectionable wear on the bottom of the second sheet. I avoid this difficulty in feeding sheets from a pile by frictional engagement of the bottom sheet by separating the sheets and the rolls,

which term will be used herein to include equivalent feeding devices, such as endless belts or rotating or traveling fingers, so as to avoid feeding action on the second sheet while securing the feeding of the bottom sheet by the rolls, this result being attained, preferably, by moving the sheets away from the rolls, for which purpose I use a movable support for the sheets, by whichthe second sheet is raised from contact with the rolls as the bottom sheet is fed forward, thus not only preventing any feeding engagement of the rolls upon the secondsheet, but at the same time loosening up the sheets by their alterlnate raising and lowering, whichaction aids in preventing the feeding forward of the second sheet by adhesion with the bottom sheet.

As a further protection against the feeding out of more than one sheet at a time, I preferably use, also, means for stopping a second sheet which may be fed forward with the bottom sheet, the complete construction thus forming a mechanism by which sheets may be fed from a pile singly with almost absolute certainty, and I have devised an improved means for thus stopping the sheets which in itself forms a part of the invention. In this improved stopping means I employ one or more stops, which may be arranged to extend in series across theV whole or any part of the width of the sheet, but which it is found in practice need usually be employed only at the center of the sheet, these stops being alternately raised and lowered, so as to allow the bottom sheet to pass freely, but to be brought down into position to stop the second sheet, these stops preferably consisting of sharp pins arranged so that when lowered they will be forced into the leading end of the second sheet if a second sheet has been fed out, and stop also any third or upper sheet, if such be started, the sheets being released again as the pins are raised. The stops may, however, be arranged to be lowered in front of the second sheet, and in such case may be blunt pins or of any other suitable form. The use of the pins sharp enough to impale the sheet will be found much preferable, however, even when arranged normally to descend in advance of the second sheet, as the pins will thus impalc and stop the second sheet without retarding the bottom sheet in case the second sheet should be fed out farther than usual, and a construction employing such pins forms a part of the invention.

The stops are preferably used in combination with a fixed guard of suitable form placed at the front of the pile for positively preventing the feeding out of a third sheet; but this may be omitted and fairly good results secured.

As the sheet is fed out from the pile it may be received by any suitable mechanism; but when, as is frequently the case, it is desirable to time the delivery of a sheet relatively to other parts of the machine I preferably use a drop-roll, which seizes the leading end of the sheet at the proper time when advanced from the pile, and a stop which holds the sheet in proper position against the feed- IOO there is shown in the accompanying drawings a construction of the preferred form embodying all the features of the invention, and a detailed description of the same will now be g'iven, and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the sheet-feeding' mechanism. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the sheets removed. Fig. 3 is a front view, the frame being' sectioned on a vertical plane between the rolls H G. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the m echanism with the papers in place, showing the parts in the position they occupy as the bottom sheet is just started, a second sheet being shown as passing out therewith. Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the parts in the position they occupy when the bottom sheet has been partially fed out and seized by the droproll and the second sheet pierced and stopped by the pins.

Referring to said drawings, A is the frame on which is supported the sheet-holder B, which may consist of a box or receptacle of any suitable form for supporting the sheets a'. in the pile and holding them in proper position. The bottom of the sheet-holder B consists of a series of bars C, forming a sup port for the sheets and between which the feeding-rolls D engage the bottom paper, these feeding-rolls being preferably formed with roughencd surfaces or faced with suit able material, such as rubber or emery, to increase the friction.

The bars C are pivotolly mounted upon the shaft l0 of the forward feed-roll D, and at their outer ends are connected to a bar ll, which is connected each end by connect ing-rods l2 to crank-arms 13 on a rock-shaft 14:, which is actuated by a crank-arm l5 and pitman 16, spring-pressed in one direction by a spring 17 and actuated in the opposite direction by a cam a on the main shaft S, so that the cam, through these connections, raises the bars C at the proper time, as hereinafter explained, and upon. the release of the bars C by the cam a the spring 17 returns these bars to their lower position.

At the front end of the sheet-holder B is a guard E, preferably made adjustable vertically, as shown, and terminating at its lower end, just above the second paper, in a series of fingers l, between which move the stops 2, consisting in the form shown of sharp pins, these pins, of which three are used in the construction shown, being carried by a bar 1S, moving vertically in guides in the frame and actuated by a cranka1an 19 on a rock-shaft 20, which is actuated from the shaft S by a slotted crank-arm 2l,v connected to a pitman 22, operated in one direction by the cam b on the shaft S and returned by the spring 23.

Just in advance of the sheet-holder B is mounted a stationary lower feedroll F, and above this a drop-roll G, carried by pivoted arms 23 and raised and lowered at the proper time by a shaft S, through a link 24, conneet-ing one of the arms 23 to a crank-arm 25 on a rock-shaft 2G, the crank-arm 25 having connected thereto a pitman 27, pressed by a spring 28 and actuated by cam c on the shaft S, so that the drop-roll G is raised by the cam and returned by the spring when released by the cam. On the rock-shaft 26 are arms 2S), carrying stops (Z, which are brought into position to stop the leading end of the sheet until the drop-roll G seizes it, and are then lowered to allow the sheet to be fed forward. By the drop-roll G and stationary roll F the sheet is fed forward to the feed-rolls H and belts I, or other suitable conveying mechanism. i

The feeding-rolls D are driven from the shaft S through a gear 30 on the shaft S, in

termediates 3l and gears 32 on the shafts of the feeding-rolls, so that all these rolls rotate in the same direction and at the same rate of speed. The stationary feed-roll F and drop-roll G are fed from the leading' feed roll D by intermediates 33 and gears 34 on the shafts of the rolls, and the lower belt-roll Il is driven from roll F through intermediates 35 and gear 3G on the belt-roll.

The operation of t-he mechanism will be understood from a brief statement in connection with the drawings.

All the feed-rolls D engage the bottom sheet of the pile as the feeding movement is commenced, as shown in Fig. et, and thus advance the sheet out from the holder B. As the sheet is advanced, the bars C are raised from the position shown in Fig. a to that shown in Fi 5, so as to raise the sheets from engagement with the feeding-rolls D and thus prevent their engagement with the second sheet until the first sheet has been fully fed out and the feeding of the second sheet is to be commenced, when the bars C are lowered again.

It will be seen that with the bars C pivoted at the front of the holder, as shown, the sheets are raised on an incline, so as to sepa-rate the sheets from the rear and forward rolls successively. This permits the rear end of the second sheet, with the sheets above it, to be separated from the rolls immediately upon the commencement of the feeding of the bottom sheet, the bottom sheet, with the upper sheets, being gradually and successively raised from the different rolls, while the feeding action of the forward rolls on the bottom sheet is continued. This is an important feature, in that it avoids the contact of the sccond sheet with the feeding-rolls, which would result from the bending' of the second sheet over the rear end of the bottom sheet if the latter were fed out a considerable distance before the action of the lifting devices and the latter engaged the second sheet behind the bottom sheet. This enables the present construction to be used for feeding sheets of considerable length and of such a character as to bend at their rear ends when unsup- IOO IIO

ported by the bottom sheet. The slight bending of the sheets at their forward ends also aids in securing-the separation and proper feed of the bottom sheet.

It is to be noted that the separation of the bottom sheet and feeding devices is essential to the result desired in feeding sheets of considerable length and flexibility, for if the lifting devices engage the second sheet close to its rear edge, so as to prevent the latter bending over the rear edge of the bottom sheet as the latter is'fed out, the second and upper sheets are likely to bend centrally after the bottom sheet has been fed out a considerable distance and thus bring the second sheet into contact with the feeding devices. By separating the bottom sheet and feeding devices as the bottom sheet is fed out, however, the separation of the second sheet and feeding devices may be secured throughout the feeding of the bottom sheet independently of the length or iiexibility of the sheets.

The bottom sheet passes out beneath the guard E to the stops (l, and is held in position by the latter until the feed-roll G drops, when by the same action that lowers the feedroll the stops are removed from` the path of the paper, and the drop-roll G, coacting with the stationary roll F, seizes the, leading end of the paper and advances it to the belt-rolls H.

lf only one paper be fed out at a time, the raising and lowering of the pins 2 does not interfere in any way with the feeding of the paper; but if, as shown in the drawings, a second sheet is fed out beneath the guard E, which positively stops the third and upper sheets, the pins 2, in their downward movement on the rocking of the shaft 20, pierce the leading end of this sheet, as shown in Fig. 5, and stop it, so as to hold it against the friction of the bottom sheet until the latter is fed out, when the fingers are withdrawn and the second sheet, now become the bottom sheet, is free to be fed out by the rolls D.

It will be understood that I am not to be limited to the specific details of the construction shown as embodying the invention, as it is obvious that these may be varied in many respects without departing from the inven tion.

lt will be understood,ralso, that different means for taking the sheet as it is advanced from the sheet-holder may be used, and that the means for separating the feeding-rolls and second sheet to prevent the feeding forward of the second sheet with the bottom sheet, and the means for stopping a second sheet, if fed forward, may be used independently of each other, either alone or with other devices for securing the proper feeding of a single sheet, and each in itself forms a part of the invention, although they are preferably combined as coacting to secure a greatly improved result, and such combination also forms a part of this invention.

W'hat I claim is- 1. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet, and means for separating the rear end of the bottom sheet and the upper sheets from the feeding devices and supporting said sheets throughout substantially their length while retaining the engagement of the front end of the bottom sheet by the feeding devices, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engagingl the bottom sheet, and means for raising and lowering the sheets to separate the rear end of the bottom sheet and the upper sheets from the feeding devices and supporting said sheets throughout substantially their length while retaining the engagement of the front end of the bottom sheet by the feeding devices, substantially as described.

3. rlhe combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet, and means for separating the different parts of the bottom sheet with the upper sheets from the feeding devices gradually from the rear end toward the front end yof the sheets, and supporting the portions of said sheets separated from` the feeding devices throughout substantially their length, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding rolls engaging the bottom sheet, and means for raising the sheets on an incline to separate the sheets from the rear and forward rolls successively to prevent the feeding of the second sheet by the feeding rolls during the feeding of the bottom sheet, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets and supports pivoted at the forward end of the holder, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet between the supports, and means for swinging said supports vertically to raise the sheets from the feeding devices, whereby the feeding of the second sheet by the feeding devices during the feeding of the bottom sheet is avoided, substantially as described.

6. The combination with feeding mechanism for advancing the bottom sheet from a pile, of one or more vertically movable stops arranged to stop a second sheet when the stops are lowered, and means for raising and lowering said stops, substantially as described.

7 The combination with feeding mechanism for advancing the bottom sheet from a pile, of one or more vertically movable sharp pins constructed and positioned to pierce a second sheet, when advanced with the bottom sheet, and means for raising and lowering said pins, substantially as described.

8. The combination with feeding mechanism for advancing the bottom sheet from a pile, of guards arranged to stop a third sheet, one or more vertically movable stops arranged to stop a second sheet when the stops are lowered, and means for raising and lowering said stops, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

9. The combination with feeding mechanism for advancing the bottom sheet from a pile, of guards arranged to stop a third sheet, one or more vertically movable sharp pins arranged to stop a second sheet when the pins are lowered, and means for raising and lowering said pins, substantially as described.

10. The combination with feeding mechanism for advancing the bottom sheet from a pile, of guards arranged to stop a third sheet, one or more vertically movable sharp pins arranged to pierce a second sheet when advanced beyond the guards, and means for raising and lowering said pins, substantially as described.

1l. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet, means for preventing feeding contact between the other sheets and the feeding devices during the feeding of the bottom sheet, one or more vertically movable stops arranged to stop a second sheet when lowered, and means for raising and lowering said stops, substantially as described.

12. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet, means for preventing feeding contact between the other sheets and the feeding devices during the feeding of the bottom sheet, one or more vertically movable sharp pins arranged to stop a second sheet when lowered, and means for raising and lowering said pins, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottom sheet, means for preventing feeding contact between the other sheets and the feeding devices during the feeding of the bottom sheet, guards arranged to stop a third sheet, one or more vertically movable stops arranged to stop a second sheet when lowered, and means for raising and lowering said stops, substantially as described.

14. The combination with a holder adapted to receive a pile of sheets, of feeding devices engaging the bottoni sheet, means for preventing feeding contact between the other sheets and the feeding devices during the feeding of the bottom sheet, guards arranged to stop a third sheet, one or more vertically movable sharp pins arranged to stop a second sheet when lowered, and means for raising and lowering said pins, substantially as described.

15. The combination with a holder B, of a series of feeding rolls D below said holder, bars C pivoted at the front of the holder, means for swinging said bars vertically during the feeding of the bottom sheet, pins 2, and means for raising and lowering said pills, substantially as described.

16. The combination with a holder B, of a series of feeding rolls D below said holder, bars C pivoted at the front of the holder, means for swinging said bars vertically during the feeding of the bottom sheet, guard E at the front of said holder having fingers 1, pins 2 moving between said fingers, and means for raising and lowering' said pins, sub stantially as described.

17. The combination with a holder B, of' means for advancing the bottom sheet from the holder, guard E at the front of the holder having fingers 1, pins 2 moving between said fingers and means for raising and lowering b 5 e, t.

said pins, substantially as described.

18. The combination with a holder B, of a series of feeding rolls D below said holder, bars C normally supporting the sheets in the holder and pivoted at the front of the holder, and means for swinging said bars vertically during the feeding of the bottom sheet to raise the bottom sheet with the upper sheets from the feeding devices gradually from the rear end toward the front end of the sheets, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand vin the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LUTHER C. CROWELL.

Witnesses:

C. J. SAWYER, A. L. KENT. 

